A HOSTILE reception awaited education minister Alan Johnson at a public meeting in Kirkby on university tuition fees.

Mr Johnson, minister for higher education, flew to Merseyside yesterday straight after the latest proposals for tuition fees were revealed in the House of Commons.

The new White Paper offers financial concessions to poorer familes wanting to send children to university.

It was designed to fend off a rebellion when the proposals for hiking up tuition fees go before Parliament next month.

Last night Mr Johnson was given a clear indication by local MPs, party supporters and student representatives that it was not enough.

Mr Johnson, who left school at 15 with no qualifications, described the tuition fees as a kind of graduate tax, with repayments taken out of wages through the payroll system.

But Wallasey MP Angela Eagle, a major opponent to the Bill, said: "We will have a big credibility problem which must not be underestimated - we are breaking a manifesto pledge and that will cause great difficulties at the next election."

The debate at the Kirkby Suite was organised by Knowsley North and Sefton South Labour Party.

Mr Johnson said the topup fees would free extra money for children in primary and secondary education.